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SDS talent evaluators Jon Cooper and Brad Crawford spent several months breaking down last year’s highlights, incoming talent and projected 2014 impact following spring practice to compile a list of the SEC’s Top 100 players heading into fall. Athletes were selected by position then ranked overall counting down to No. 1.
We’ve reached the final Top 25 and will unveil a new player daily leading up to opening night on Aug. 28.
24. A.J. Cann, Sr., OL, South Carolina
Voted the SEC’s most underrated player by the league’s sports information directors earlier this summer, this senior guard for the Gamecocks is their veteran leader up front, starting a team-high 38 games during his career. The combination of Cann and fellow Top 100 member Corey Robinson on the left side coupled with right tackle Brandon Shell gives the Gamecocks the edge in the trenches in nearly every conference matchup this season.
“I really think A.J. Cann is going to have his best season,” Spurrier said at Sunday’s fall camp media day. “He’s been pulling faster than he ever has in practice.”
The face of the most fierce offensive line in the Spurrier era, Cann will play a key role in determining whether or not the Gamecocks’ elite wall of blockers can pave the way for Mike Davis’ Heisman campaign and provide time to operate for Dylan Thompson, Cann’s best friend.
2013 statistics: Voted a permanent team captain who started all 13 games for the Gamecocks
2014 projection: All-SEC potential capable of reaching an incredible 50 career starts if he avoids injury
